Intended for healthcare professionals

Rapid response to:

Papers

Comparison of St John's wort and imipramine for treating depression: randomised controlled trial

BMJ 2000; 321 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.321.7260.536 (Published 02 September 2000) Cite this as: BMJ 2000;321:536

Rapid Response:

Misleading research

Like most of the studies comparing Hypericum Perforatum with
tricyclic antidepressants, this one uses inadequate doses of imipramine.
Most people need between 100 and 150 mgm to get relief.
As for the people who suggest self treatment, they should be reminded that
depression is not infrequently the first symptom of abdominal cancer and
of various endocrine abnormalities. Self treatment precludes diagnosing
these causes, often with dire results.

Competing interests: No competing interests

02 September 2000
Judith Ronat
Medical Director
Rishon L'Zion Mental Health Service